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Blevins dishes on all things Christmas

Blevins dishes on all things Christmas

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Blevins' clutch relief 0:34

9/11/12: Jerry Blevins enters with the tying run on third base and nobody out, and gets a big strikeout and a double-play ball for the save

By Jane Lee
/
MLB.com |

The A's longest tenured member, Jerry Blevins, is gearing up for his seventh season in an Oakland uniform. His sixth proved to be the best of his career, as the lefty reliever compiled a 5-1 record with a 2.48 ERA and a .201 batting average against while racking up a career-high 65 1/3 innings.

In the coming week, Blevins will step away from the baseball preparation to enjoy the holidays with his family. As the year comes to an end, the 29-year-old took some time to share some of his favorite holiday memories, both past and present, with MLB.com.

MLB.com: Can you talk about some favorite holiday traditions in the Blevins family?

Blevins: When my grandpa was alive, we would dress up as elves while he was Santa. Then we would drive around and deliver presents to needy families in the area. My grandpa was a founder of the local Elks club and the whole club would gather presents that we would deliver. Now we go to the local malls and pick a few people from the "help tree" and get the presents on the tree. Another is watching "A Christmas Story."

MLB.com: Are there any special food dishes for the Blevins family Christmas?

Blevins: The only special dish that our family has is my grandma's fudge. The peanut butter fudge is my favorite.

MLB.com: What's the best gift you've ever received?

Blevins: The best gift I ever received was a pair of roller blades that were interchangeable into 3 different forms: roller blades, short skis and ice skates. A year-round, multi-sport gift. Brilliant. Although the skis weren't as functional as one would hope.

MLB.com: What about the worst gift you ever opened?

Blevins: The worst gift was a wool sweater that wasn't treated properly I have to say. Probably the most itchiness substance on earth. Can't tell you who it's from so I can't hurt his/her feelings.

Blevins: I'm a very patient shopper. A very picky, from-the-heart-type shopper. Always wanting to get something that will make the recipient know it's heartfelt.

MLB.com: What would you get Bob Melvin for Christmas?

Blevins: I'm not sure Bob Melvin needs anything from me for Christmas. Maybe just reassurance that I'm working my butt off for him and my teammates, preparing for the upcoming season.

MLB.com: How about Billy Beane?

Blevins: I think Billy would want the same gift as what BoMel is getting.

MLB.com: If you could play any character in any Christmas movie, who would it be?

Blevins: If I could play any character from Christmas movies I would definitively choose Kevin from "Home Alone." One of my favorite gifts of all time was the talk boy he used in one of the movies. Setting up the pranks for the wet bandits would be fantastic. That might explain my fascination with Rube Goldberg machines.